I still like coasters! SFDL May 4th

Ride of Steel

After an endless amount of begging my parents for a Darien Lake birthday party, I finally got my wish. I brought 5 friends, along with my mom, dad, brother, and one of my friend's brother and parents.

For the past 2 weeks I've been showing my brother and one of my friends Superman movies trying to get them to go on. My 6 year old brother Kevin just over 48" so he could now go on all the coasters except Mind Eraser w/out sneaking on. (He'd already been on Predator, Viper, & Boomerang)

Everyone met at my house at 8:45 but we didn't leave till 9:15 but it was ok. After 2 hours in the car watching Billy Madison (gotta love that movie ;)) Superman finally appeared.

Pulled in the parking lot payed $7.00 and sat for a 1/2 hour waiting for the park to open at 12:00. We bought 2 -2 foot long subs and feasted on those while my day went to go get the tickets. Luckily, the tickets were only $7.00!

So my dad gave us the tickets and we got in line to get into the park. In no time we were in and the only ones running to the man of steel. I wish they had the joyous "Run to Millennium Force" each morning but they don't.

On the way to Superman, Predator had a closed sign. I didn't really know if it would be open later but I prayed. We waited at the gate of Superman for them to open it up. We run up to the station and we are the 2nd train out in the front seat. I rode with my friend's dad. While waiting I had a sudden smile. My brother and my dad were both on their way through the queue line. Kevin has been wanting to go on this baby for 2 years. BTW Superman's red train was sitting on the transfer track with no front and no sides (they were sitting on the ground)

We load, leave the station and turn to the lift hill. We make it up about 10 feet and the lift stops. We waited for a half an hour. Every five minutes a buzzer would go off and lift would start moving but the chaindog wasn't attached. My brother was scared to death but finally the last buzzer went and vroooooom we're off. The lift was going REALLY slow but after about 10 seconds it sped up to its normal fast, not to mention smooth, speed.

Over the top the drop was great. I absolutely love this ride. The airtime was incredible throughout the ride. The bunny hops were a little slower than usual but still great. We bought a picture but my bro's picture was ruined by this retarded kid that kept swearing. While waiting for the lift to start "I PAID $7.00 TO GET ON THIS ****in ride and it BETTER BE OPEN!!!!"

Get off everybody but one person in our group wants to reride Superman. She wants to go to Grizzly Run but no one else wanted too. My mom got made because she doesn't like coasters so we should please her the entire day.

Next we hopped aboard Boomerang with a one train wait. Still the same, intense, and thrilling ride as ever. How anyone can despise these coasters is beyond me.... we got 2 laps in.

After Boomerang we all went on Shipwreck Falls. No line and a fun ride but the splash wasn't that big. Probably beacause they didn't fill the pool entirely with water since its not too warm out.

After being Shipwrecked my brother joined up with us and he and I along with everyone else went on Viper. They let us reride but no one but Kevin and I wanted too. They just waited in the station. This is such a reliable ride and it is ALWAYS open. Plus 2 trains were running!

After getting of Viper we went directly to Grizzly Run. With no wait we had a fun ride. The water effects weren't on but we still got sorta wet.

We met up with my parents where they watched Kevin while we went on Mind Eraser. There was a one train wait for the 2nd row. It was a fun and very intense ride but I can see how some people might not like it.

I got off and wanted to go again and my luck was great. The front seat had a single rider. An even better ride because you can see where you are going.

After Mind Eraser, everyone but me and my friend Jimmy wanted to do Poland Springs Plunge, or better known as the Poop Ride. While on Shipwreck Falls "I WANT TO RIDE ON THE GIANT POOP!" because the logs look like turds.

Jimmy and I went back over to Superman and my luck got better. Predator was open!!!! We hopped aboard the first row of the second car. A great great great great great great ride! I love this coaster so much. Bumpy, amazing airtime, and a great design. The black train was running and from the station to the lift hill there is new wood and the train no longer squeaks. This ride just needs to get ride of the trailered trains...We rode once more in the front seat and had an even more amazing ride.

We went over to Superman. The line was partially out of the station onto the stairs. We waited for the front seat. Lucky me, the train before us had a single ride in the second car so and the very kind ride op let me go once in the second row and once in the front row with my friend Jimmy. 2 amazing rides as always and we didn't even get stuck ;)

After going on Superman my brother and I went on Predator and he was really excited because this is one of his favorite coasters. We had a great ride. He kept his hands up the entire time just like his big bro.

After that all my friends (except one) went on Superman. Another great ride lol. When we got off it was quarter of 6. I convinced my bro to ride next to me. We both went to the station and waited for 2 trains. You should have seen his face down the first hill. He was holding on for dear lift and turning sideways with his eyes closed. When he realized we were done with the first drop he opened his eyes and had his hands up the entire ride.

Well that was it for the day. It was great. Some people hate SFDL and I don't know why.

This was a great bday party and an excellent way to start off the coaster season.

Zima

Monday, May 5, 2003 8:28 PM

I went to SFDL a few years ago and S:ROS is an awesome ride. How many times did you ride it throughout the day?? I rode it 3 times when i was there. The best airtime comes on the 2nd and 3rd hills. Anyway the Predator is great also and I would love to ride it again sometime. How long of a drive was it for you? I live in Cleveland and i think it was like a 4 hour drive.... Anyway S:ROS is awesome.